Dharma School

Most Sunday Services at the Venice Hongwanji are hosted by the Venice Hongwanji Dharma School (Dharma School). The Dharma School is dedicated to providing a rich multi-lingual and multi-cultural religious education program founded on the teaching of Jodo Shinshu for all attendees of the weekly Sunday Service. As part of the Sunday Service, English is the primary language spoken. However, Japanese, Chinese, Sanskrit and Pali terms are also introduced as part of the service.

Dharma School classes are held following the Sunday morning services for students ranging from pre-school through high school age. There is also a Buddhist Education Committee that holds Buddhist education sessions for adults.

The teaching staff of the Dharma School is required to fulfill a rigorous 1-year training program. All teaching staff of the Venice Hongwanji Dharma School have earned the Dharma Award, which is granted by the Buddhist Churches of America.

In 1955, Venice Hongwanji Dharma School activities were established. Reverend Shoki Mohri, from the Betsuin, with the assistance of Mrs. Sumiye Watari, gathered twelve students at the Fukushima residence for the first service. The first Dharma School Superintendent was Walter Kitagawa. Throughout the years, Dharma School locations have changed from the original temple, to the Venice Japanese Community Center (during the time of renovation), and then back to the temple site.

To enroll Dharma School, just visit us at the temple for Dharma School service beginning at 9:30 AM on Sundays (please refer to the Dharma School Calendar for a detailed schedule.) Ask for the superintendent or any Dharma School teacher to assist you.

“Namo Amida Butsu”
~Thank You For Saving Me~

A video created by the 7th Grade Dharma School class in 2010:

Dharma School (DS) teachers will take attendance each DS class session. (Refer to the official DS School calendar for class session days.)

If a DS student is absent for a DS class, they may make it up (up to three missing attendances) by contacting their DS teacher and completing missing assignments.

“Extra credit” will be given to students who attend special services (Obon service, Joya-e, etc.) when there is no official class session that same day. This “extra credit” can be used to make up a missed day of DS.

Students who miss DS at Venice Hongwanji but attend DS at another temple that same day can get their absence excused with documentation from the other temple.

Good attendance awards will be presented each year at the annual Oseibo Taikai Service.

Please see the Temple Calendar for the most up to date Dharma School happenings!